We Gotta Gourd Thing Going On

I was going to call this Pumpkin Muffins and Other Stitchy Stuff but, like this title better.  

Where we are trying to grow grass and it hasn't gotten much above 50 this week.  The sun seems like its trying to come out.  There was some snow around the edges of things this morning.  Buster finds it much too cold but, grandma did take him for a walk this morning.  I turned up the heat so he has stopped shaking.  He is having a hard time getting use to the cooler temps and the shorter hair.  The next hair cut won't be as drastic for winter but, who would have thought that it would be this cold?!

This past Tuesday was rainy and chilly.  I found a package of potato soup mix and made that for dinner.  I had a craving for pumpkin muffins.  No pumpkin in the cupboard or sugar so ran to the local market for supplies and came home and made Pumpkin Bread and Muffins.  I use the same recipe from my favorite cookbook.  This thing is beat up.  I write all over the recipes and the pages are falling out.  I have the most eclectic assortment of bookmarks in it...post-its, things the kids have made, and  holy cards from funerals (that is really weird).  It is really a time capsule of the years.  This edition was published in 1990.  I should get a new one but, it wouldn't be the same.  How could I part with this one?  This is definately go-to cook book I have lots of other ones but, this is my favorite.  Which kid will want it when I'm dead?  Gee, the dust cover still looks pretty good!

I use the Pumpkin Bread recipe.  The original calls for 1 cup of pumpkin.  As everyone knows there is more than one cup of pumpkin in a can.  What do you do with the leftovers? ...freeze them and wait for it to end up in the back of the freezer forgotten,  It doesn't last long in the fridge and there is never enough left to make something.  I have adjusted the recipe to use the whole can.  Here it is...just for you

Pumpkin Bread

• 1can of pumpkin (1 3/4c)                                       3/8 c. water
• 2 1/4 c. flour                                                          1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 1/2 c. sugar                                                         1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda                                             1/2 tsp allspice or I just use 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin
• 3/4 c. oil                                                                      spice
• 3 eggs                                                                    3/4 tsp salt\
• However many craisins and raisins you like.  I go by how it looks

Grease 8 1/2 x 4 loaf pan and 9 muffin cups (give or take) and preheat oven to 350 F

Sift together the flour, salt, sugar and baking soda.  Mix the pumpkin, oil, eggs, water and spices together, then combine with the dry ingredients, but don't mix too thoroughly.  You can add a 3/4 c. nuts (I don't use nuts, I use the fruit instead)  Pour into a well greased/buttered pan-s.  Bake the muffins 20-25 minutes and the bread 50-60 minutes.  Check with a tooth pick.  

Now for the remaining gourds:  An update on the Grim Gourds.  When I looked at the picture after taking it and seeing on the computer, it really made me smile.  These guys are hilarious!  Sorry it wrinkly but, I don't press it until I'm done.  

 I just have to finish the alphabet, the other lettering and the border.  I should be able to finish within a week...hopefully.

 I talked to Katy last night and she sounded the most relaxed I have heard in since she started school.  It is such a better situation.  I am so happy.  Nothing worse than have a miserable kid six hours away.

Got the cleaning done, have a little ironing to do.  Then the afternoon should be mine to stitch and watch old movies on TCM.  I painted some boxes two weeks ago for the Christmas project but, they didn't turn out the way I wanted them too.  I ordered some wooden boxes from S&S crafts, much cheaper than ordering from JoAnn's online.  I need to paint them and then Briwax.  Suppose to be a rainy weekend so it will be a good project for the weekend.

Thanks for stopping and a big WELCOME to the new members.  I love the comments for you all!  You guys are great!
Keep on Stitching
Monica